Rough Avens

Rough Avens

Geum laciniatum

"Both basal and cauline leaves are produced; the cauline leaves are alternate, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. The basal and lower cauline leaves are oddly pinnate (often with 5 leaflets), while the upper cauline leaves are trifoliate or simple. The simple leaves and leaflets of the compound leaves are up to 3" long and 2½" across. They are lanceolate to ovate-oval, coarsely serrated or shallowly cleft along the margins, and largely hairless. Sometimes the leaves and leaflets are deeply cleft into 2 or 3 lobes. The terminal leaflet is larger in size than the lateral leaflets. The basal and lower cauline leaves have stout petioles, while the upper cauline leaves are nearly sessile. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of leafy stipules that are cleft or dentate; each stipule is up to ½" long."

That's how botanists describe leaves of plants!  This one is from a web page called Illinois Wildflowers, which is really a totally awesome site to learn about plants in the Midwest!  I go there all the time to look up things.  I just pull out my botanical dictionary and I'm all set.

Petals are shorter than the sepals



Basal leaf - grows from the base of the plant at ground level

Cauline leaves - grow along the stem of the plant

Note the rough stem

Seed head